Indian bloggers switched off

Government blamed

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 19th July 2006 15:22 GMT

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Indian bloggers have reacted with fury to government orders that ISPs block access to certain sites.

Last week the Department of Telecommunications told Indian ISPs to prevent access to 17 websites or blogs which they did not like. Our calls and emails to the Department yesterday were not returned.

But it seems some ISPs reacted over-enthusiastically and have stopped people accessing any blogs on some sites. Typepad, Blogspot and Geocities were all hit.

Indian visitors to Blogspot found an error message: Site BLOCKED!!!!

It is assumed that the action relates to security concerns but the government has refused to comment. Indian bloggers are demanding answers under Indian Freedom of Information laws.

For a full list of sites that are inaccessible and information on getting round the ban go here.

Or you can visit one of the banned sites here.

More on this Indian blog here and from the Beeb here.®

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